Editor’s Note: The comment referenced in this column and credited to Phil Longo were made by a reader with the username ‘Phil Longo.’ The identity of the commenter has not been confirmed.
Mack Brown is way better after a tough loss than a big win.
When he returned to Chapel Hill, Brown said he didn’t want to take losing as hard as he had in his first 25 years as a head coach. So when he met the media Monday, Brown was informative and pretty entertaining in describing the 31-28 loss in Tallahassee, a game he said he expected to win even after falling behind 31-7 thanks to an error-laden first half.
When Trey Morrison made his spectacular sideline interception right in front of Brown, Mack “knew then we were going to win the game.” But then came a missed field goal and three drops on the last drive that turned his confidence into disappointment.
Looking back, Brown said he thought the Tar Heels might have lost after soft practices on the prior Wednesday and Thursday. “I told the team that’s when you can lose the game,” he explained. “It was like Wake Forest last year after beating South Carolina and Miami. We walked in a little cool and got hit right in the mouth.”
Human nature, especially with youngsters, is predictable. The media, mostly social, was telling them they were great. Now they know they’re not exactly the No. 5 team in the country, dropping down the elevator shaft nine spots after a 3-point loss at vaunted FSU.
Brown said he is difficult to work for, very demanding of his coaches and told stories about mistakes he made as a coordinator at Oklahoma under Barry Switzer. So now he probably barks from behind his mask at his staff more than his players in the heat of the battle.
“I’ll jump on the coaches as well as the players,” he said. “Having four rival games in a row is unusual. Can we get them ready to play up to that challenge?”
Brown tried to pump up 23rd-ranked N.C. State, which comes to Kenan Saturday without its starting quarterback. He said they are much improved on both sides of the ball, special teams, too. “They’ve blocked two punts, so I’m sure they’ll be excited to see us punt,” he said.
Wouldn’t want to be playing, or coaching, for Mack this week.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Hey this is Dave Doeren here to comment officially and on the record. Mack Brown wears old man diapers.